MONITORING AND EVALUATION PRACTICES AND SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS IN KIRINYAGA COUNTY

Abstract

Agricultural projects in Kirinyaga County, Kenya, have faced challenges in achieving long-term sustainability, often due to inadequate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices. This study aimed to address this problem by investigating the impact of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices on the sustainability of agricultural projects in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Specifically, it examined the roles of M&E Capacity Building and Performance Measurement in enhancing project sustainability. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining both descriptive and inferential analyses. The study targeted a population of 436 key stakeholders involved in agricultural projects, including senior management, project teams, and community representatives. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 209 respondents, ensuring representation from all relevant groups. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which was validated through a pilot study involving 21 participants to ensure reliability and accuracy. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 28. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to interpret the data. The findings revealed that M&E practices had significant positive impacts on project sustainability, with coefficients of 0.296 for Capacity Building and 0.309 for Performance Measurement. The study concludes that robust M&E practices are critical for sustaining agricultural projects, emphasizing the need for continuous capacity building and regular performance evaluation. It recommends that project stakeholders invest in ongoing training programs and systematic performance tracking to enhance project sustainability.

Key Words: Monitoring And Evaluation (M&E) Practices, Sustainability of Agricultural Projects, M&E Capacity Building, Performance Measurement